Loved the concept and idea. Frustratingly mysterious as to what was actually going on between Rua and Finn. I like how it resolved and how we came to know their entwined fates. It made sense given that neither character knew and was working to figure it out alongside the reader. I would have like to have more time with the characters after the resolution. I found myself wishing the secrets had been revealed earlier so we could see even more of the myth and the aftermath.

This was really cool! Very refreshing and unique. I loved the element of Irish mythology and the time period in which it took place. The banter and slow burn elements were so fun to read. All in all, a solid debut novel. Looking forward to more from this author!

WHAT AN EXPERIENCE!!
first of all thank you #netgalley for giving this. it was a treasure!!!
i loved Rua. my brave, outspoken and not tolerating anyone's shit queen!!!! her banter with finn was my favvvv!!!

tho there are few things that made me stop to give this book 5 stars like:
the past shouldve been explored more, i wanted to know more about the three sisters and there works, HOW did finn and rua fell in love in the past?? i wanted to know more about their time as gods, their moments and stuff(i am nosey). if we got those things then this book wouldve done more justice to the tag enemies to lovers, otherwise it did not really feel like enemies to lovers but more like annoyance to lovers. PLUS the ending felt a little rush, like yes they confessed, yes they are together but then what?? how are they going to navigate such cutthroat world,like okay they were not going to stay in new york they were going somewhere else but still!! an epilogue wouldve been nice😗(ikk i am asking alot, i cant believe i wont have more finnrua😭😭)
also mara will always be a mystery to me, like her character shouldve been explained more. she did all that sketchy stuff and we got very little explanation.

now speaking of romance this was epic!! the constant yearning, longing, the pull towards each other, stolen glances, jealousy, everything was great!! (thank you for not making it spicy in the name of romantasy😚) THE INTENSE SEXUAL TENSION WAS THRILLING!! I LOVED IT I LOVED IT
all in all, i would 100% recommend it!!

(also gave a feedback on goodreads)

The Gods Time Forgot blends the portrayal of Irish mythology and 1870s Gilded Age Manhattan. Rua and Finn’s relationship is the emotional core of the novel, characterized by tension, chemistry, and a shared sense of self-discovery. A captivating and engaging reinterpretation of beloved Irish myths, The Gods Time Forgot offers a fresh perspective on folklore with an interesting, detailed historical narrative.

💛1870’s vibe
💙slow burn
🩷banter banter banter
💚Irish mythology
🧡I am obsessed with this cover!!!

I absolutely demolished this book and was instantly in love with Rua the moment she dug herself out of that hole in the ground and was thrown into the life of a wealthy 1870’s family in Manhattan with no memories other than her name. Where she meets handsome a irish lord 😏😏😏 who just seems so damn familiar.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5


I felt that the ending was a bit rushed? it felt like it was leading up to a big ‘battle’ moment just for them to like fill a hole with dirt and leave me with a few unanswered questions, but did leave it open for another book in way? but also didn’t 🥲 I also wish there was an epilogue

What a magical world to get thrown into and experience for the first time in this book. Kelsie crafted this beautiful world full of magic & mystery, that I could not put down from the second I started reading this book.

The Irish mythology that gets thrown into this book makes it so much more interesting and enthralling. This was such a wild story and I loved every minute of it.

Thank you NetGalley for the eARC!

I enjoyed the book. It incorporated Irish lore, which I love, and the historical ambiance is set very well in the book. However, it did fall short in some areas.

The FMC is found in the woods with no memory of how she got there, or who she is and is taken in by a family of upper class the Harrington's who believe her to be their daughter.

The MMC is a lord from Ireland who quickly feels a connection towards the FMC and vice versa, leading down a path of discovery and enemies to lovers romance.

The pacing started off well, but then it dragged a bit in the middle. I feel things could have been summed up a little more throughout the book. Overall I liked the story and the characters.

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for providing a free e-arc of this book.

4.5 / 5.0

Rounded up to 5 stars because the opening line is so good.

The Gods Time Forgot is a sweeping, luxurious, Gilded Age America story of love and betrayal. I enjoyed this so much and look forward to more by this author. The writing is immersive and just bleeds imagery of the people and places in this book. Both main characters are superb and the overall story is so intensely readable. There is some pacing issues through the center 40% of the book, but it doesn’t detract from the overall effect of the story too much.

I recommend this for those that enjoyed The Gilded Age show on Netflix, the old school game Myst, and Anastasia vibes.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for access to this eARC.

I really enjoy stories with strong female characters and a good love story. So I couldn't put this book away. It has an interesting setting, secrets and a really enjoyable writing style. The combination with Irish mythology and the Gilded Age with something that I have never read, and it was definitely a big selling point for me.

Thanks to Kelsie Sheridan Gonzalez and NetGalley for the ARC.

ARC Copy...It was interesting (and longer then normal fantasy read) did like Irish mythological lore infused with the gilded age but hmmm intriguing to see which "human" character could be who from mythology. The stand out example would be...not giving away the ending.

I really, really wanted to love this book. I'd been seeing updates about it on TikTok, and I was so excited about it. I love historical fiction and fantasy books, and this book seemed like the best of both worlds. I couldn't wait to read it, but I felt like I was fighting to get through it.

The world-building and pacing were really slow. I felt like I was constantly trudging through murky waters. The more I read, the less interested I became. By the time the world-building made sense, I wasn't interested anymore. I came close to DNFing but wanted to get through to the end. I think that the shifting third-person perspectives also threw me off a bit.

Overall, I think this story has EXCELLENT bones. I think it has so much potential, and I look forward to reading the final published version.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Alcove Press for the eARC!

For me, this was a very interesting tale. I love Irish folklore and mythology and this had all that and more. The story is beautifully written. Rua and Finn were excellent main characters. The side characters were well done - especially the greedy, self-centered mother, Flossie. All that being said, I found the ending a bit abrupt. That's why it's just 4 stars.
Thank you to Net Galley and Kelsie Sheridan Gonzalez for an ARC.
#NetGalley#TheGodsTimeForgot
I would still recommend this book.

A Spellbinding Tale of Forgotten Deities and Timeless Secrets
I can honestly say this is one of THE best fantasy stories I have read in a long time. It kept my attention from the very first chapter and never let go. I have patiently been waiting to read this one for over 2 YEARS. It was one of the first books I REALLY wanted to read when I first joined BookTok. It sounded right up my alley. I LOVE Historical Fiction, Historical Romantasy, whatever you want to call this. And it was most definitely worth the wait. It is truly a unique story. I have heard others saying, " Oh, it's just going to be another Hancock." It is absolutely NOT like Hancock. Think Outlander and Bridgerton but in the Gildan Age of New York. This story has beautiful yet sorrowful Celtic mythology intertwined. It really is a one of a kind story. I absolutely loved it! Definitely one of my favorite reads of 2024. If you love all of these same things, then you will love this story. No spice, but I prefer a good story over spice any day. I'm SO glad I pre-ordered the hardcover a couple of months ago. ( the title was still "The Ones Time Forgot") I can not wait to own this beautiful story and have it sitting upon my book shelf after all this time waiting. I hope this book is a HUGE success. This author deserves it. Easily 5 stars 🌟

I will also be leaving review's on my TikTok and Instagram accounts as well.


Thank you Netgalley for allowing me to read this advanced reader copy.

This book was great! I loved the historical setting and the characters were well written and I loved the banter!

3.75 Stars | The Gods Time Forgot was an enjoyable read.
It is full of Irish folklore, set in Gilded Age Manhattan, with a sweet enemies to lovers story, a decent pace, and witty banter. I enjoyed the peak at high society
There were some times the pace felt a bit slow and the ending felt exceptionally rushed. It also felt like some characters didn’t have enough of a motivation throughout. When the motivations of some of them were revealed it felt forced. There were also times it was a bit confusing due to the flashbacks throughout randomly popping up, but it wasn’t terrible. I wish there were some things that were expanded on as well, like seeing more of the MMC from “before”.
Overall I think this was an enjoyable read for a debut and cannot wait to read more by this author.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a chance to review this.

I enjoyed the “Gilded Age” vibe of this book. I enjoy the authors writing style.

The main character was interesting. I enjoyed learning a bit about the myths of The Morrigan. The basics of this story are good… the execution wasn’t my favorite.

It gets a bit repetitive and it meanders a bit.

I was a cool story though.

I adored this book. 1870 New York, dual perspective, a main character with no memory and trying to fit in, and a counter character with memories and also struggling to fit in. It took a few chapters to grab me, but when it did? Oh boy, did I devour it.

I love quality banter, and our two main characters provide that in abundance. The connection between them is immediate, but it's not instalove (which I don't like), but felt like a gradual development, spurred on by an undeniable connection.

My main issue with this book is the end. How the story wraps up makes sense, but the loose ends are snipped too quickly. It should have been drawn out a chapter or two more to feel really satisfying. This is a minor detractor for an otherwise solid story.

This is for the folklore girlies and unfortunately that is not me anymore. The main characters continuous flip flopping on their decisions was frustrating at best but ultimately made me wanna headbutt a wall. The mystery aspect of Rua not having her memories and slowly piecing her life back together was the only thing that kept me interested even though the way she was treated in "high society" was almost unbearable. I'm not mad I read this book. It just left me feeling sad.

*Thank you Alcove Press and Netgalley for sending me an e-arc in exchange for an honest review*

"The Gods Time Forgot" begins with Rua, who literally crawls out of an underground cave with no memories other than her name. She’s quickly thrust into the life of a young debutante, Emma, whom she resembles. Forced to live as Emma while piecing together fragmented flashbacks of her past, Rua is determined to figure out how she ended up there. The complication? Finn, an Irish lord striving to establish himself in high society while providing for Irish immigrant children left to fend for themselves in the foreign city. The two share an undeniable pull toward each other, a constant sense that they’ve met before. But as the past resurfaces, carrying pain and betrayal, will they get their chance at love, or will society tear them apart once more?

As a debut, I must say the book was well-written. It features one of the least toxic enemies-to-lovers romances I’ve read, full of witty banter and palpable tension. However, I was disappointed by how scarce the magic and mythology felt, given the premise.

The Irish mythology was what initially caught my attention, and I wish the story had explored it more deeply as it progressed. Unfortunately, when it comes to the characters, most lacked depth. Their motivations felt one-dimensional, leaving me wanting more complexity.

The writing style was easy to follow, although the pacing was on the slower side. I enjoyed Rua’s sharp tongue and her ability to stand up for herself, but I do wish she had put Flossie (Emma's mother) in her place by the end. As for the ending—it was abrupt and underwhelming. I might have been expecting an epic showdown or, at the very least, a confrontation during the finale, but the resolution felt flat. It left me wondering whether this is meant to be a standalone or if the author has plans to expand the story in the future.

Overall, while the premise was intriguing, and the romance enjoyable, the execution left me wanting more. It was a decent read, but with a bit more depth and development, it could have been great.

(Please note: I read an advanced reader copy of this book, courtesy of NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review. #TheGodsTimeForgot #NetGalley) 

2.5 Stars - ⭐⭐✨ 

Rua knows only two [things:] her name, and that she has no memories. (Let us please note off the bat that there's even a typo in the Goodreads synopsis.) So when the wealthy Harrington family mistakes Rua for their missing daughter, Emma, Rua goes along with the charade, hoping for answers about who she really is. As she tries to blend into a society she doesn’t remember, she’s drawn to [the] firmly off-limits the Lord of Donore, Finn, a newcomer to Manhattan society who is somehow familiar to Rua.

With societal pressures mounting on both sides, Rua is determined to discover the truth about the missing Harrington daughter and her own past. But when her memories begin to return, they’re of a world far stranger than New York [that is] traced in dark magic.

As ancient secrets unfurl in Rua’s memory, Rua and Finn are forced to uncover the mystery of their past and try to save their future.

Noted as Outlander meets Bridgerton, this is Kelsie Sheridan Gonzalez's debut book.

First, I'll start off by saying that I was initially very interested in reading this book because of Mrs. Sheridan Gonzalez's social media. Her enthusiasm and personality melted through her videos, making it near impossible to not immediately want to rally for her. I was all in when I learned about this book and jumped to request an ARC.

Unfortunately, I've been disappointed by my own impulses and expectations once again, making me think I just need to take a break from requesting ARCs.

This book needs way more editing before coming out in 2025, and by that I mean almost an entire overhaul to a point it's a new book, and I understand better than most how that's not helpful. As I pointed out, even the synopsis has typos. So did my ARC.

The very beginning is compelling, but then the next 60% of the book is spent going from place to place in an elementary "And then they went here and then we were there" structure that caused me to have overwhelming white room syndrome. There is too. Much. Telling. The craft is close to zero, but the hardest part is when it got close, it fades away immediately. It felt like reading a report.

The synopsis suggests that Rua wants to learn whose life she's adopted - quite the opposite, she barely investigates and we are left without answers for so long. Only glimmers of hints of the truth that are not very thought-provoking or thrilling.

It's so repetitive, too. They go to a party, Rua causes a scene, Finn swoops in to save her, Rua(Emma)'s mother Flossie is mad. It was more a lesson in etiquette than it was uncovering the secrets of their past or diving into a world of magic. I felt held hostage with Rua enduring elitist, flat secondary characters who could have been truly compelling, and I kept WAITING for that cycle to break and it took too long. The book doesn't start answering questions or makes you excited to read until the last 15%, and then it just ends.

Forget this book if you want actual magic. There is hardly any and that is perhaps my biggest gripe right now. How are you writing an Irish mythology re-telling without even traces of magical realism, let alone diving in to the opportunity of building a whole new fantastical world?

My recommendation would have been tale the ending, move it up to the early middle, and let the world, magic, and characters unfold from there. I'm disappointed in that this felt like such an amazing idea that was poorly executed, and that such an obvious plot line was missed. I hate saying that about other folks' work but it needs to be said.

If she sees this some day, my advice to the author is to read The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab. Because craft wise, that's more what I was hoping this would go for.

This missed the mark with me, and I wish writers would come back to writing what they enjoy and taking the time to suss it out rather than going to the "________" meets "________" tropes for marketing - which also telling of publishing and consumerism so don't get it twisted that I'm taking that all out on authors. I'm not. I'm coming at every review from the perspective of a writer as well as someone who just wants to be swept away while I read, not crabby because I'm contemplating all the ways a book's about to be published and wasn't as amazing as I know it could have been.